This interview is part of the Institute's "Conversations with History" series, and uses Internet technology to share with the public Berkeley's distinction as a global forum for ideas.

Welcome to a Conversation on International Affairs. I'm Harry Kreisler of the Institute of International Studies. Our topic today is
"Remembering the Vietnam War," and our guest is Neil Sheehan. A writer and
journalist, Mr. Sheehan covered the Vietnam War for The New York Times.
His paper later won the Pulitzer Prize for his articles on the Pentagon Papers.
Mr. Sheehan has just written a new book, published by Random House, called A
Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam.

Return to Washington ... the Pentagon
Papers ... covering the debate at home ... critique of U.S. military and political
leadership ... arrogance and delusion of the powerful ... failure of imagination
flawed strategies ... anti-communism ... consequences for the Vietnamese

Lessons of the War ... face-saving
explanations ... true lessons ... role of the press ... coming to grips with
the war